Night Time Rabbits - Lamp or Night Vision / Thermal

GaryKE.

As the title mentions whats the proffered method, putting in another 22lr license and trying to decide what to get.

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/hawke-vantage-30-wa-4-16-x50-ir-sf-22-subsonic-rifle-scope
or

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/arken-optics-zulus-hd-5-20x-digital-night-vision-scope-with-laser-rangefinder-and-ballistic-calculator

The NV scope would be top end of my budget at the moment.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058368419/night-time-rabbits-lamp-or-night-vision-thermal

Just a few things to bear in mind, a lamp will not involve any additional firearm licencing/justification.
A NV or thermal will require a restricted licence, and an import permit if purchased from outside Ireland.

And if ordering from outside the EU(ie the UK) it will incur customs of 2.5% on top of the total cost of the package + VAT, which is a hefty sum.

GaryKE.

TY for the info will take that onboard, have another call with the FO scheduled for tomorrow so will sound him out regarding an NV.

GaryKE.

Lets edit it for scopes from Irish sellers.

https://irishshootingsports.ie/optics/rifle-scopes/hawke-vantage-30wa-sf-ir-4-16x50-22-lr-subsonic16x/
or
https://irishshootingsports.ie/optics/night-vision/pard-nv008s-day-and-night-scope/

That pard is pushing the budget to the max, be eating noodles for awhile if I go that route.

keith s

You have a good few options and maybe start cheaper to get going and then move up when the budget allows.

Having personally used:

• Lamps
• Home made+ professional add-ons (search nvuk for example)
• Clip-ons like Pard007
• Dedicated scopes like pulsar and ATN

I can say in my experience the dedicated scopes are far better. Less messing with cables and better image + features when using them.

If the rifle is for night shooting only, or at least not for target shooting competitions or deer, (deer anot included here as its a 22lr), then it's set and forgot.

If you plan to use for shoot targets (as in competitions) then you'd be looking at a 2nd scope (for me, digital optics don't lend themselves to target shooting clarity required. For plinking or general practice OK).

So if thats the case then you may also want to invest in x2 decent set of rings / mounts so that you can swap scopes without having to re-zero. Which will rack up the cost, but maybe no need to get everything at once.

Clip-ons like Pard 007. You can get one of these second hand and to attach to rifle you need only Authorisation on each rifle you want to use it on, but not a restricted license. Double check this with your FAO!!

The built in IR light on clip-ons can save initial expenses, but can be lacking, and make the image unstable , laggy so a decent IR (€100-€200) will probably be something you'll end up buying down the road, but will work on a dedicated scope if you do upgrade. Also, be careful with scope selection with any add-ons / clip-ons as the lens coatings and parallax (or lack ther of) can effect the ability to use them.

All (lamp, add-on, clip-on, dedicated scopes) will work for rabbits though. It's just much easier with less light in the visible spectrum so NV with suitable IR torch I find better.

Dedicated scopes = €80 (restricted license).

I stop here as this was meant to be a few lines, but happy to reply here or privately if you've any questions.

GaryKE.

Any recommendation on the torch to use with it

clivej

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122799162#Comment_122799162

PBiR, is what I used with my PARD 008. Brightness control with zoom lens.

GaryKE.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122801202#Comment_122801202

Nice one Clive will have a gander.

GaryKE.

Also anyone recommendation on a thermal spotter that wont break the bank.

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GaryKE.

Anyone using the non lrf pard nv008.
Had it out for the first time last night and the nv with onboard ir torch was not the quality I was expecting, rabbits sub 60y were grainy and pixelated, tried it on various ir levels but could not get a good focused picture.

clivej

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122865410#Comment_122865410

Your PARD 008 will only be as good as the IR source your using. Get a good laser torch. I could see well out to 200m using the PBIR torch.

GaryKE.

Ordered a new or torch there.

Have you had any issue where it does not hold its zero.

Had it scoped in perfectly and got it out in the field that evening and it was shoot at least a foot or 2 high, no wind to cause it.

clivej

I screwed a picatinny rail to my stock and put the torch on it. Set the torch beam to match my scope zero.